My second interview: Tuesday at 12:30
I felt way more confidant for my 2nd interview. I guess I knew a little more of what to expect and felt I had gained just a little bit of experience from the first. Also, I forgot to mention previously that this was the Hooters that chose to call instead of email to set up the interview so the conversation I had with Manager # 2 felt way more personal. She was very sweet on the phone and she made it feel like I was an old friend. Before hanging up she told me to "come in with you hair and make-up done looking fabulous." It's the little extra things people say that can make a world of difference. I knew right away that I would like her style of managing. Her comment gave me the impression that she cares about the success of her employees and she's not just there to boss people around. She's not on a power trip in other words.
Anyway, enough of that rant. So this time I chose a nice black pencil skirt with a pink blouse (ugh! I hate the word blouse but shirt sounds too informal for what it is) and again with my black wedges. I got there on time for this interview, which also helped maintain my confidence. I was really excited for this one, because it's the Hooters closest to my house and is also in the more expensive side of town (I tried to find a way to word that differently so I wouldn't sound like it's all about the money, but let's be honest here... lol).
I parked and reapplied my favorite pink Chanel lip gloss and then got out and smoothed down my skirt. When I walked in I was greeted this time by a very nice hostess. She called for the Assistant Manager, or Floor Manager (whatever they call the secondary manager). She told me that "Manager # 2" just went out for something and would be back shortly. She lead me to a table where I could sit and watch the game that was on while I waited (like I'm really going to be able to pay attention to what's on the tv... I'll just be sitting here trying not to show my nervousness by playing with my hair too much or shaking my leg. I'll just try to look content while I judge all the girls).
The Assistant Manager came back over a few minutes later and offered me something to drink (YES! This will give me something to do! Lol) and I asked for a Diet Coke. "Is Pepsi okay?" she asks (disappointment). Now, I know a lot of people don't understand the importance of this question, so let me explain. I LOVE Coke products. Not just because I'm from Georgia and I'm supposed to. I just can't stand Pepsi because it's too sweet and doesn't have enough carbonation for my taste. I actually avoid places like Taco Bell and Arby's just simply because I know they serve Pepsi products. So I actually appreciate this question rather than the server just bringing you Pepsi instead. With that being said I would normally make an "eww" face and say "I'll take sweet tea instead" but in this particular situation I just didn't want to seem picky or ungrateful so i simply smiled and said, "Yes, that's fine."
I sat for another 5 - 10 minutes waiting and then one of the Hooters Girl's walked up to me and introduced herself. She asked, "are you interviewing for a Hooter's Girl job?" Finally someone I can talk to yay! I replied, "yes, just waiting to meet with Manager # 2 (leaving out names for obvious reasons), do you like working here?" I felt like my answer and question was a little cliché but whatever, it's all I could think to say at the time. Apparently it was the best question I could've asked this particular Hooters Girl 'cause it seemed like talking about herself was her favorite topic. Haha! Fine with me as long as I have something distracting me from my nerves while I wait for the manager. She was nice too though. I appreciated her taking the time to come over and talk to me. Let's be honest, we've all been on both sides of the coin here, the interviewee and the employee that can either make the interviewee feel worse by ignoring them and sizing them up or make them feel comfortable and welcome by striking up a conversation. I always choose the latter because I know that a) I've been in their shoes and b) they may be my co-worker soon, why not gain a new friend as well.
So Manager # 2 finally walks in. She comes over to the table and I stand up to shake her hand. She smiled and introduced herself and apologized for the wait. She leads me over to an empty section where we can have some privacy (FINALLY! Someone that's got some sense!) She starts the conversation with small talk about why she had to leave the restaurant and had to be late meeting with me. I tell her it's no problem and I know she's busy and I thank her for squeezing me into her busy schedule. Her personality made the questions she asked incredibly easy to answer. I felt like I could be myself and add a little bit of my bubbly, goofy personality to my answers. She said, "Well, I think you'll fit in great here..." and in the middle of her statement grabs one of the Hooter's Girls walking by to introduce her to me. Then she adds, "can you come in sometime this week to be fitted for your uniform? We'll take pictures of you in it and send it to corporate for approval. " Really? Hooters doesn't trust their managers to hire decent looking girls that don't look like ogers? Hmm. "Absolutely!" was my answer. "I can come tomorrow if that's okay." She replies, "Yes, tomorrow is perfect. How about 3:15? I can get you fitted as soon as I get here." I said, "Yes, that's perfect! Yay, I'm so excited!!!" (Yikes, I hope I didn't seem overly excited or like an airhead 'yay, I'm so excited!'? geez...) We shook hands, I thanked her for the interview and she offered to put my Diet Coke...eh um Pepsi in a to go cup (damn, these people got the hospitality thing down... I guess that's a good thing since they work in a restaurant).
Driving home I felt great! Just landed me a job at Hooters!!! I went ahead and emailed the first Hooters to let them know I would not be attending the 2nd interview because I had accepted a position elsewhere (damn, I guess I won't get to role play which I was sooo looking forward to, NOT!) and I emailed the 3rd to let them know the same.
GOT A BIG OL SMILE ON MY FACE! I'M A HOOTERS GIRL! WHAT WHAT!? OWWWW!
(sorry about that ;) )
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